Timing device



Feb. 20, 1945. M RHODES 2,369,688

TIMING DEVICE Filed Aug. 1, 1940 Patented Feb. 20, 1945 THVHNG DEVICE Marcus H. Rhodes, Hartford, Conn., assiznor to M. H. Rhodes, Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware i Application August 1, 1940, Serial No. 349,119

4 Claims. (01. 161-15) This invention relates to timing devices, and with regard to certain more specific features, to

V coin-controlled timing devices for indicating the passage of a purchased length of time, as for parking automobiles or the like.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a coin-controlled timing device of the class described which is adapted to indicate at all times what portion of a purchased length of time has passed, and which is likewise capable of indicating progressively the amount of time consumed over and above the purchased time; and the provision of a device of the class described which is substantially fool-proof in operation, simple in construction, and. which may be economically made. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

. The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. In the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing a different condition of the dial;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation, also similar to Fig. 1, showing a still different condition of the dial; i

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation;

Fig, 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 1, but man enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the movable dials shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; and f Fig. 7 is a front elevation of .these dials.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

The device of the present invention is particu- I larly adapted for use as a so-called parking meter" which is usually installed in connection with designated parking spaces for automobiles along the curbs of city streets. The timing device itself is usually mounted on a post on the curb in proximity to the designated parking space. The device is adapted to'receive a coin from a person parking his automobile in'the designated space, and has means thereon for indicating aduration or period of time corresponding to the length of time a person is entitled to park, in the designated space in return for the value of a coin presented.

One of the principal features of the present invention is that it indicates progressively the gradual expiration of the purchased time interval, as determined by the value of a coin initially deposited in the device. Moreover, the device indicates the passage of an additional overtime period. Both indications are readily visible at a distance, which greatly faciliates the enforcement of parking ordinances and assures receipt by the governmental agency of the full parking fees to which it is entitled.

Referring now to the drawing, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, show a device-in which numeral i indicates a rectangular casing which has a semicircular top portion. The top part of the front of the casing i has a.semi-circular opening 2 preferably holding a glass. Back of this is a scale 3 upon which are figures to indicate the amount of legal parking time remaining. In front of'this scale and movable thereover by the clockwork mechanism is-a semi-circular shield I, which, upon initiating operation of the device manually, is rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 1) until his substantially invisible. The clockwork mechanism is simultaneously wound. Initiation of the operation of the device is carried out by means of a handle 5 which operates the winding and setting mechanism upon the insertion-of a coin into the coin slot 6. Shield 4 is attached to a shaft 1 which is rotated by the clockwork mechanism. Also mounted on this shaft, but loosely, is a second semi-circular shield 8 which during the purchased time hangs substantially invisible. Shields 4 and 8 have projections shown at 9, so that the shield 4, when it completely covers the legal parking scale, en-

- gages theshield =8, attaching itself thereto,- and drawing the shield 8 into view as the operation of 'the'device continues. Upon shield 8 are appropriate indicia denoting the passage'of additional periods of time after the expiration of the purchased time.

Fig. 2 shows thecondition of the device after ten minutes of overtime operation, while Fig. 3

shows the device after it has operated for thirty minutes overtime, and has stopped.

The mechanical structure and operation of the device are more fully described in my copending applications, Serial Nos. 507,639, 507,640 and 507,-

641, all filed October 25, 1943.

clockwise over the scale 3 for the full time purchased, and likewise to continue operation of the device for a predetermined period of overtime. At the conclusion of the purchased time operation, the shield 4 picks up shield 8 by means of projections shown at 9, and carries it over the scale 3, the scale 3 thus remaining covered at all times after the purchased time has expired.

Shields 4 and 8 are both preferably painted red so that when the purchased time is exhausted, the entire device will, during the full period of overtime operation, display only a red area. This means that the patrolling oflicer is easily able to note a violation of the law at a greater distance from the device, and may, upon examining it, determine from the amount of overtime shown thereon, the penalty to be imposed upon the parker.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A timing device comprising a first scale, a shield movable over said scale in accordance with the passage of time, a second scale movable with respect to said first scale, said shield substantially completely obscuring said first scale and moving said second scale into operation at the expiration of a predetermined time to directly measure the passage of another predetermined period of time.

2. A timing device comprising two scales in a case having an opening, said scales being independently movable during a portion of the timing operation, at least one of salt s ales moving in accordance with the passage of a predetermined period of time, the scales cooperating with said opening, one of said scales being at least in part of contrasting color to indicate expiration or a predetermined period of time, one of said scales being obscured during said predetermined period of time.

3. A timing device comprising a first scale, a shield movable over and thereby obscuring said scale in accordance with the passage of time, a second scale movable with respect to said first scale, said shield substantially completely obscuring said first scale and then engaging said second scale to bring said second scale into operation at the expiration of a predetermined time to directly measure the passage of another predetermined period of time.

4. A timing device comprising a fixed scale, a shield movable over said scale to progressively cover it in accordance with the passage of time, a movable scale, said shield engaging said movable scale to bring it into operation when said fixed scale has been substantially completely covered at the expiration of said predetermined period of time to directly measure the passage of another predetermined period of time.

MARCUS H. RHODES. 

